ASHDOWN, Arkansas -- Valmet announced that it has been selected by Domtar to supply the equipment and technical services to convert a paper machine from uncoated freesheet to fluff pulp at the mill located in Ashdown, Arkansas, USA.

The delivery is part of Domtar's USD 160 million project to re-purpose the A64 paper machine. The rebuilt machine is scheduled to begin operation in the third quarter of 2016. This order is included in Valmet's first quarter 2015 orders received. The value of Valmet's delivery will not be disclosed.

"Valmet has been a trusted vendor-partner of ours, one that understands our business and delivers top-quality equipment and services that help our company succeed," says Jack Bray, Domtar's Vice President Manufacturing, Region 2. "We're glad to work with a supplier that shares our commitment to safety and sustainability, as well as performance, in creating world-class fiber products."

"Valmet has extensive experience in repurposing pulp and paper assets, especially in the production of fluff pulp. As we did during the Plymouth NC5 conversion, we worked closely with Domtar to optimize the technical solution that would meet their project objectives, including world class quality standards and high efficiency runnability," says Frank Swietlik, General Manager, Pulp Dryers and Baling, Valmet.

The scope of the Valmet delivery includes a new wet end, upgrades to existing cylinder dryer section, a new fully automated reel and a new OptiWin Pulp winder. Also included is a bypass run to a new cutter-layboy with an automated bale handling line.

Domtar's Ashdown mill has 3 pulp lines and 3 paper machines. The mill's annual paper production capacity is 680,000 tons and pulp production capacity 700,000 tons. The mill produces uncoated freesheet papers: offset, copy paper, laser form bond and check paper and bleached hardwood and softwood Kraft market pulp.